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Past reviews - sort by:

Version: 3.16Rating: 9Date: 2019-09-13Votes: 0

I keep a usb handy of tails bc it simply works on everything I've needed it for. Most of what I need it for is a live medium to help diagnose computer problems. It seems to separate itself better than other live linux distros on boot, getting you into something while other distros can have issues and throw you into a broken grub or windows boot loader problem even if they are live.

It does lack tools, but it has gparted and the ability to access files from hard drive, and veracrypt, making it a good option to check encrypted files without pesky cache or recent files being kept, or dealing with having to use veracrypt on an unsecured computer to look at a password list. Or even having to download veracrypt is annoying. Simply pop in the usb and forget about it.

One thing I'd like is for it to not connect to the internet at boot or give an option, kinda like how you can create admin password with it on the startscreen. I'm sure the tails team is way beyond my skill set in opsec but I'd just like the throw that out there. Not everyone wants to connect to tor on boot bc they wanted to manage encrypted files. I'd rather not have any internet session. I've never had an issue but I'd also rather not have a tor connect when I don't need it.

Thanks tails team, helped me fix plenty of problems. Not super into opsec but I have used it. I like how I can also not use onion, so I don't get locked out of my accounts when using a different pc but don't want to leave history.

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Version: 3.15Rating: 9Date: 2019-08-11Votes: 8

Very good OS that supports the privacy of its users.

However there are a few glaring issues that I hope the developers need to pay attention to in the future releases.

1. Wifi driver support is basic. Intel Wifi is supported well, but that's pretty much it. Wifi without MAC Address spoofing support is not immediately available for use, unless you disable MAC Address Spoofing at the startup screen.

2. Graphics driver support is basic. No Nvidia drivers, no AMD drivers. Nvidia 340.40 driver should be included like Ubuntu 19.10, AMD drivers are all included in the 5.0-5.4 kernels. Should upgrade to the latest kernel as soon as possible

3. Tor circuit is difficult to configure, and is specified in the startup screen. Should allow Tor Bridge configuration once logged in. Amazon-meek and Azure-Meek bridges should be included for beginner users

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Version: 3.15Rating: 8Date: 2019-08-03Votes: 0

is good os but Broadcom Wi-Fi network interface needing broadcom-sta-dkms not work on it

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Version: 3.14.2Rating: 10Date: 2019-07-09Votes: 2

..happily using it since years!!

I like the regular updates and
many privacy default settings.
this way I can pass it on to
people curious to try it out,
without much extra config.

even if not advertised as such,
I enjoy it as daily driver after
having automated settings and
configs at bootup.

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Version: 3.14.1Rating: 5Date: 2019-06-22Votes: 1

I am using it as a live medium not on a separate HDD, version 3.12 early 2019, so setting the UEFI-Bios to use it properly an AMD-CPU it seems to have problems with starting due to the graphic driver not starting promptly. But sometimes it works as a live-Medium. Looks as if it needs some improvements to work stable.

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Version: 3.14.1Rating: 1Date: 2019-06-21Votes: 1

Crashes when used with intel hd 515 graphics controller and skylake cpus. Regression causes crashes with intel graphics controller! High priority to be fixed.

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Version: 3.14Rating: 1Date: 2019-06-05Votes: 5

Un-usuable due to bugs in linux affecting intel graphics adapter and skylake cpus!

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Version: 3.13Rating: 10Date: 2019-03-31Votes: 5

Love you always Tails. Im still using you anywhere i playing inernet.

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Version: 2.12Rating: 7Date: 2018-08-08Votes: 54

I wish they'd switch to a lighter DE - like Xfce or MATE, etc. GNOME is a poor choice IMO.

Perfect for on-the-go secure internet usage.

~ Torin

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Version: 3.8Rating: 9Date: 2018-06-27Votes: 21

More thoughts...

I am impressed. Tails is getting to be pretty good.

However, it is still slow. It is still using Gnome. And why the continued use of Systemd?

Updates have become easier. And the beta that allows the use of add applications seemed to work pretty well. I did test that beta and it worked flawlessly. And I tested it using pychess and other apps, not a hiccup.

All in all, nice but the future I am sure will be kind to Tails with even more nice improvements.

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Version: 3.7Rating: 8Date: 2018-06-05Votes: 26

I've been using Tails OS off and on for a few years now. It's really improved a lot since the 2.n version days

Fast, it is not. And that's okay, because the Tor network isn't designed for speed, it's designed for working in hostile environments. I've used it at work as a test to see how much it obscured in a relatively-secure environment and how much of the internet monitoring it could avoid. The answer was: All of it.

The issues I have with it are as others have posted - upgrading versions is a pain in the ass and not an automated process about a third of the time. This means you need to have a second Tails stick at the ready to get your primary upgraded. I've had intermittent issues across all the 3.n versions where it simply can't get a time sync and gives up, forcing a hard reboot to get "tor-ified" with all the time that requires. It can also be fussy on what USB sticks you use - the cheap Staples-branded or older SanDisk ones seem to cause me no end of issues.

All in all though, if you have no other option but public wifi, you could do a lot worse to secure your connections and data than Tails OS.

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Version: 3.7Rating: 9Date: 2018-05-11Votes: 4

- as hardened Live system much more secure for encrypted communication

- frequent updates, made easy by tails-installer app

- full software package

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Version: 3.6.2Rating: 8Date: 2018-05-01Votes: 6

Love Tails but WHY is it using system(spyware)d? The corporation behind it has contracts with the government, um, hello! Seriously, they have to adopt a non evasive init, one that DOESN'T have networking capabilities or total access to your HDD(s)/SSD(s).

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Version: 3.6.2Rating: 8Date: 2018-04-07Votes: 10

I've been using Tails Linux off and on for a few years now. In this day and age, you can't be too careful with your data. Tails provides great security and anonymity.

There are two reasons why I didn't give it a higher score. First, the manual updates that you have to do on occasion are a bit of a pain in the ass. That said, I'm sure there is a good technical reason for that. Second, and echoing other comments here, why did they choose Gnome? Why not something lighter that would make it boot faster?

All that being said, I'm a pretty happy Tails user.

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Version: 3.6.2Rating: 8Date: 2018-04-07Votes: 0

it has many good features but it is very slow while net browsing --it seems this wlll not be solved as tor is a slow network by default

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Version: 3.6Rating: 9Date: 2018-03-15Votes: 12

I have rated Tails in the past and found to be very good.

But I have to say this latest version, 3.6, is a big improvement. Some of crankiness of past versions is gone. This version was much easier to upgrade. I really like the new screen locking feature too. I have always thought not being able to lock the screen while one is away was a giant security issue. Security starts with strong local physical security me thinks.

Again, this version is a big step forward. The next big issue for me would be a drop down or radio buttons to select what type of MAC spooking one wants. I have to use Root to use macchanger to completely spoof my MAC. That is extra steps for the user. That takes time that users in dangerous locales may not have.

Giving Tails a more streamlined and faster start would be a benefit to all who use it.

To Tails...two thumps up!!!

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Version: 3.5Rating: 10Date: 2018-02-24Votes: 0

excellent working great very fast internet access , running tor browser on windows is slow but tails it fast thank you

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Version: 3.5Rating: 2Date: 2018-02-07Votes: 1

Pros:
- secure browsing and e-mail out of the box

Cons:
- too fat
- the root access in the terminal disappeared in some version
- does not save keyboard preferences, needs to set up the keyboard every boot

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Version: 3.4Rating: 8Date: 2018-01-16Votes: 1

Already slowed by Tor, why add fatness with Gnome ?
But well done and seem as secured as possible

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Version: 3.3Rating: 3Date: 2017-12-28Votes: 7

Considering the usage context for which TAILS is intended, systemd is a recipe for disaster.

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Version: 3.3Rating: 2Date: 2017-12-08Votes: 7

As the other reviewer said, too fat. Why Gnome?
This is supposed to serve basic function of Internet anonymity, no need for fat desktop like Gnome. Too slow to start.
But I guess it's fashionable to go systemd all the way nowadays.

I use Tails daily and find it to be very stable and competently made. Many the functions that do not work when I dualboot Ubuntu on my Macbook Air (like the keyboard backlighting), work out of the box with Tails. It has never crashed on me nor failed me in any way. That said, always be weary of browsing via Tor (check you're on https!!!), as there are many listening posts at the exit-nodes sniffing for personal data.

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Version: 3.1Rating: 7Date: 2017-09-21Votes: 1

It's a OS for very specific instant use, I mean, do not try to use it as a regular OS for daily use unless your job require frequent anonymus interactions over internet (journalists when sending its cables, for example).

I faced with the fact that files downloaded through browser couldn'y be seen by other apps in the same session, which means that this distro take very seriously the security issue... (this is its intention BTW). However, this truly paranoic operation mode results in less productivity (from my point of view).

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Version: 2.12Rating: 9Date: 2017-09-08Votes: 1

Works and verification is a snap with the FF download extension. Much easier to work with than Whonix although the latter is supposed to be more secure. Fact that you are runnng tails might be apparent to ISP,sysop and spooks but better than naive cons DVD and I have even put it on HD just to see. Mainly should run from thumb. Good documentation.

But at times I think the folks behind it are rank amateurs. I don't think that all the time but often.

They go on and on about being anonymous.

But the latest version makes it more difficult to hide you MAC address. By that I mean completely change it. The program should offer options at the very beginning on how much to randomize the MAC address. It doesn't. I always totally randomize my MAC pretty much all the time.

The desktop lock doesn't work on my computer.

If I set what I think are more restrictive settings of NOSCRIPTS, those settings disappear on the next reboot. Why?

One has to manually turn off the feature that allows others to connect to the internet through your computer. And that feature is difficult to find.

And the upgrade happens about once a month. Fine. I understand that. But the automatic update process is more often than not MANUAL which is long and tedious.

More often that not I use the new and latest Sandboxed Tor Browser instead. The TOR folks are making more inroads into the privacy area. Since the initial install, the Sandboxed Tor works first time, every time, updates and all. Tails, on the other hand,
re-invents the wheel each and every month!

Tails is a great idea that could be executed better. With a bit of work, Tails could be benchmark in the privacy area...it could be.

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Version: 3.0.1Rating: 9Date: 2017-08-08Votes: 1

Fantastic. It's at the point now where you reallycan use Tails as your regular everyday OS.

The only reason why I gave it a 9 instead of 10 is that it doesn't remember my system settings even though I have that selected on my persistence volume, and because it really needs a media organizer app built it. But other than that, Tails does everything and is easy to use.

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Version: 3.0.1Rating: 9Date: 2017-07-26Votes: 3

I absolutely love TAILS, I have been using it for years now. It is the perfect solution for browsing anonymously from anywhere. Public library, (most) workplaces, college campuses (provided you use bridges) and even on your own hardware at coffee shops and airports. Sure 3.0.1 had a bug that affected those of us that accepted the automatic upgrade from 3.0 but that's to be expected for the first upgrade since switching to Debian 9. The TAILS team does an absolutely EPIC job considering their abysmal budget of less than 40k a year! These are hard working folks who really CARE about your privacy. They don't make any real profits. If you want new features and more usability from TAILS then drop the team a message and make a donation!

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Version: 3.0.1Rating: 9Date: 2017-07-09Votes: 0

Tails is working nicely for me, I am currently anonymous!

The install is actually very easy and is guided, just download the ISO then do what you'd normally do to create the image on your USB, then boot into tails, insert a second USB and then go to "Tails Installer" in the Applications menu, follow the very simple instructions and Bob's your uncle. You now have an anonymous Linux OS in your pocket.

The only downside: The browser is Tor by default and is a tad slow due to how it works, BUT it does work.

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Version: 3.0.1Rating: 9Date: 2017-07-07Votes: 1

Tails works. Very handy if you are out and about and need to get online, chuck in your USB to any PC and away you go.

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Version: 2.12Rating: 10Date: 2017-07-06Votes: 7

Good choice of preinstalled programs, noob friendly, has many built in mechanisms that help it reach it's goal - providing annonimity. It's clearly not for everyday use - that's not what it's been made for. With the release of 3.* version i had some problems with booting it, but maybe i did sth wrong. It's a great distro anyway :)

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Version: 3.0Rating: 8Date: 2017-06-20Votes: 0

I opened up 'unsafe browser' and the Tails operating system completely froze my whole computer...had to hard shutdown....other than that, it seemed to work flawlessly.

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Version: 3.0Rating: 6Date: 2017-06-19Votes: 0

Never got it installed. Only allows USB stick/thumb drive or live dvd. Install to a hard drive is what makes me happy. Looks of the OS is pretty good. Seems to navigate faster than my older version and older machine I once used.

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Version: 3.0Rating: 7Date: 2017-06-15Votes: 0

Support for more hardware is needed, it's either hit or miss. You can't install drivers needed for some hardware to work properly. I was hoping version 3 would help but it didn't.

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Version: 3.0Rating: 9Date: 2017-06-15Votes: 0

Great new version. runs smooth. It had quite a few bugs in the beta versions which seem to be ok now.

It has Thunderbird for email, Libre office, and TOR.

It works well on my test machine no hang ups,

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Version: 2.12Rating: 7Date: 2017-06-11Votes: 3

The Tails team does the excellent job! The whole idea is great, however 2.12 disappointed me a little bit. It became larger, slower and not so much stable as previous release was. Hopefully 3.0 will correct some of these shortcomings, especially the latest.

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Version: 3.0-rc1Rating: 9Date: 2017-05-31Votes: 3

Easiest 9.0 from my perspective but beyond the design, code quality and thoroughness, the authors deserve an 11 out of ten for their tenacity and focus in making it possible to retain or at least improve our privacy. They deserve mountains of support and respect.

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Version: 2.12Rating: 9Date: 2017-04-29Votes: 15

Tails is the leading edge of things to come. I really beleive that. One can not go a day without reading about a 'breach' or some such. Or how often do you see about some ill deed done in the name of America by the NSA!

Tails isn't perfect. But it can help by making it more difficult for the 'barbarians' to get into you stuff. Making it difficult is a win because the barbarians will go up the street to bother a hapless, artless bloke.

Today is not like the early 1990's. If you get on the internet you must have your 'dukes' up to protect your stuff. Use adblocker, noscripts and Tails or Tor when you can as much as you can. And for heaven's sake ditch windows. Get linux, learn linux, use linux and cover your bum.

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Version: 2.12Rating: 10Date: 2017-04-24Votes: 6

I like this distro. It is the right tool for the journalists in oppressive countries and those that risk to become so. Caution and knowledge of the cyber risks are still necessary but it's the best for the average user so far.

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Version: 2.12Rating: 9Date: 2017-04-19Votes: 0

Tails defends our privacy rights on the internet. And it is (still) for 32 bit machines! Bravo.
Although it contains useful 'other' applications, it could do with some more.

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